Thursday, December 26, 2013

Human Rights Action Update Dec. 21-26

Miriam, Human Rights Defender, 1947-2012

We wish a happy holiday season and new year to all our readers. Let us hope that 2014 will see an improvement in the human rights situation around the world.

SOUTH KOREA
The abuse of striking railway workers in South Korea is continuing. The right to strike is an essential human right and must be defended. Please click and join the protest. We also request that you contact new media to protest about the new blackout with respect to this struggle. At the bottom of the linked page you will find some media contacts.

UNITED STATES
Amnesty is calling for a petition to request clemency for Chelsea Manning. Respect should be given to her motivation which was to try to spark a meaningful debate on the costs of war and specifically on the conduct of the US military in Iraq and Afghanistan. Please join the action

UGANDA
This is worse than usual homophobia. Please act to stop the bill to put gays in prison for life. The Ugandan parliament has passed a bill that would do just that. The president may veto it, as he has promised to do before, if enough international pressure is applied. We have to act now.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA
We keep returning to that place in matters involving the abuse of women. Please sign on to the petition protesting the gang rape of a woman in Papua New Guinea and the subsequent arrest of a woman human rights defender assisting her. You are asked to copy the letter into an email and send it to the address given.